Stocking



Patented Bec.' 21, 1937 STOCKING Milton M. Meyers,

Clarence L. Meyers &

Elkins Park, Pa., assignerv to Co., Philadelphia, Pa.

Application July 31, 1936, Serial No. 93,553 8'Claims. l(Gl. 664-173) 'Ihe present invention relates to knitted hosiery and more particularly to an improved construction for the welt fabric of a knitted silk stocking.

As known in the art, the welt of a knitted silk stocking is generally folded upon itself to provide a double ply of material and, in most instances, the yarn used in the welt is materially heavier than the yarn used vin the leg fabric.

Because of this double thickness of material and the heaviness of the yarn used, it will be understood that the welt fabric is less transparent than the leg portion of the stocking and, accordingly, the welt presents a surface which, in appearance,

is considerably dull in comparison with the surface brightness of the leg portion of the stocking.

The difference in the surface brightness between the welt and leg portions of the stocking, when in use'on the leg. is'essentially noticeable after the stocking is dyed and finished. 'Ihis is equally true whether silk or cheaper yarns, such as lislev or cotton, are used in knitting the welt, although, in the latter instance, the contrast in surface brightness between the welt and the leg portions is materially enhanced.

25 This invention, therefore, aims to overcome the apparent defect above mentioned by providing a stocking welt fabric of the type specied, the surface appearance of which will better harmonize with the surface appearance of the leg fabric,

:i0 particularly when the yarn used to knit the welt is of a character and type different from the yarn used in knitting the leg portion, such las when the leg is knitted from silk yarn and the welt from cotton yarn.

able result is had by providing in the welt suc cessive bands of courses, the adjacent bands having different surface reflections which, collectively, cooperate to destroy the apparent lack of brightness of the surface of the welt by imparting to the latter an increased lustre.

I have discovered that by incorporating inthe welt, or at least in that portion thereof intended 45 to constitute the exposed facev of the fabric, a

plurality of fabric bands of predetermined width,

, each band consisting of a multiplicity of courses, the yarn forming the courses of the alternating bands having a characteristicl diiferentfrom the f yarn forming the courses of the interposed bands, the welt, due to the contrasting effect of the adjacent bands, acquires in appearance a surfaceA brightness blending with that of the leg fabric and, accordingly, becomes devoid of the usual 55 seemingly sharp differentiation in appearance According to the present invention, this desirbetween the welt and the leg portions of the finished stocking. I have also found that particularly in stockings wherein the leg portion is knitted from silk yarn and the welt from cotton yarn, if two cotton yarns 5 of the same color, but of slightly different shades, are used and each yarn is knitted t'o form a series of successive courses, there are formed distinct adjacent fabric bands which produce an optical eect destroying the striking contrast usually l0 present between the welt and leg fabrics of stockings of the type mentioned.

The invention has the advantage of providing a distinctive arrangement of fabric bands of different characteristics, collectively producing a 15 surface ornamentation which'destroys the plainness of the usual plain knit welt fabric.

A characteristic feature of the invention re4 sides in the fact that the alternation of bandsv of courses knitted from differently twisted yarns 1 provides a stocking welt having an increased elasticity whereby the welt will snugly fit the thigh of the wearer and thus effectively maintain the stocking in position when worn.

The invention, therefore, has the advantage of producing a stocking welt possessing the required elasticity to properly engage the limb of the wearer without necessitating the incorporation of elastic inthe knitted4 structure of the fabric, and

yet having the needed stretchability to adequately fit the leg without causing discomfort or annoyance to the wearer. i

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. 3

In order that the invention and its `mode of operation may be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art, I have, in the accompanying drawings, and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out possible embodiments ofthe invention. In these drawings: n

Figure l illustrates a knitted silk stocking wherein has been diagrammatically shown a welt embodying the preferred form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 diagram- 45 l matically representing a welt embodying a modi 'fled'form of the invention. y

Figure 3' is a diagrammatic illustration of one construction of the welt.

Figure e is a diagrammatic illustration of another construction of the welt.

Figure 5 is 'a diagrammatic representation of the method followed in knitting the preferred form vof the invention shown in Figure l.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the method followed in knitting the modified 'form of the invention shown in Figure 2.

Figure '7 diagrammatically illustrates a portion ofl a stocking similar to that shown in Figure l wherein the mode of knitting the welt is extended for a distance within the leg portion of the stocking'to form the after-welt.

Having more particular reference to the drawings wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, I have shown a knitted stocking I comprising a leg and foot portion 2 and a welt 3.

The leg and foot portion 2 is constructed in the usual commonly known manner, that is, the leg and foot portion 2 is made of -ordinary plain knitted fabric.

The welt 3 is of the double ply construction and, in accordance with the present invention, is knitted to include series of fabric bands of predetermined width, each band consisting of a multiplicity of courses, the respective series of bands being knitted from different yarns, that is, the courses within one series of bands are knitted from a yarn having a characteristic different from the characteristic of a yarn forming the courses in the immediately adjacent bands.

With particular reference to theembodiment of the invention shown in Figures l and 5, the fabric bands 5 constituted by the courses indicated by the reference character 'I in Figure 5 are formed from a right twist yarn 8, whereas the bands 6 constituted by the courses indicated by the reference character 8 are formed from a left twist yarn I0.

The formation of the respective series of bands from oppositely twisted yarns, as above mentioned, produces in the adjacent bands sets of wales of loops which are slanted in opposite directions. As shown, the wales of loops II in the bands 5 are inclined in one direction, whereas the Wales of loops I2 in the bands 6 are inclined in the reverse direction. The relative inclination of the wales of loops II and I2 creates a distinctive surface effect in the adjacent bands 5 and 6, each of which reflects the light rays atdiierent angles, resulting in imparting to the entire fabric a surface effect which ornaments the welt in order that the same may harmonize more uniformly with the surface effect of the leg fabric.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figures 2 and 6, the alternating series of bands 5a and 6a consist of a plurality of courses the courses of the adjacent bands being knitted from yarns xhaving different degrees of twist and, as more clearly represented in Figure 6. the courses I3 of the bands 5a are knitted from a relatively low twist yarn I4, whereas the courses I5 in the bands 6a are knitted from a relatively high twist yarn I6. Thus, as in the preferred form of the invention (Figures 1 and 5,) the modified form A(Figures 2 and 6) includes distinctive adjacent fabric sections defined by the alternating series of bands 5a and 6a. Due to the fact that high twist yarn results in producing a dull finish, and low twist yarn imparts a lustre to the dyed stocking, it will be appreciated that the alternating series of bands 5a and 6a of the courses I3 and I5, knitted from the respective yarns, cooperate to give to the welt surface a brightness corresponding to that of the leg portion of the stocking.

In View of the foregoing, it will be understood thatbecause of the increased lustre or surface reflection imparted to the surface of the welt, any variation `in the surface brightness of the welt rangement of fabric bands consisting of a plurallty of courses, the courses in the adjacent bands being knitted from yarns of the same color but of slightly different shades there is likewise produced a characteristic surface ornamentation which breaks the usual flat appearance of plain knitted welt fabric and produces a uniformity of appearance between the Welt and leg4 fabrics.

In this connection, it will be understood that in the manufacture of ingrain stockings, yarns of the same color, but of slightly different shades may be chosen whereas in the manufacture of dipped, dyed stockings, yarns adapted to dye offshade with respect to one another may be selected for the formation of the alternating arrangement of the fabric bands in the welt.

As hereinbefore stated, the welt 3 is of the. commonly known double ply type which is made by folding the fabric upon itself. In Figures 3 and 4, I have diagrammatically shown two types of welt in their unfolded formations.

Upon reference to Figure`3, it will be seen that the welt includes an inner fabric I1 and an outer fabric I8, the two fabrics being separated by a y course of transferred or picot stitches I9 which provide a line along which the welt is folded.

In the construction of this type of theinvention, the outer fabric I8 embodies an alternating arrangement of bands 5b and 6b, each consisting of a plurality of courses knitted from yarns of different characteristics in the manner above de scribed. As to the inner fabric I1, it may be continuously knitted in the usual manner from a single yarn, as shown at 20.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the welt is also constructed to consist of an inner fabric Il and an outer fabric I8' united by a course of transferred or picot r stitches I9' forming the folding line of the welt. 1 tion, both the inner and outer fabrics I1 and I8 respectively, are knitted from two yarns of different character to form an alternating arrangement of fabric bands 5c and 6c throughout the entire area of the welt. Due to the construction of the welt, as shown in Figure 4, the inner and outer fabrics I'l and I8 possess the same degree of elasticity and stretch.

In the type of stocking wherein it is desirable to provide an after-welt, I find it advantageous to extend the alternating arrangement of bands beyond the welt and into the after-welt. An example of this latter construction is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, from which it will clearly appear that the after-welt 22 is provided with alternating distinctive adjacent bands 5d and 6d similar in character to the alternating adjacent bands 5 and 6' of the welt 3. By proceeding in this manner, the welt fabric blends smoothly with the leg fabric and. accordingly,. prevents an abrupt demarcation between said fabrics.

As is diagrammatically shown by the alternating heavy lines and then lines in Figures l, 3, 4, and 7, the left twist yarn is twisted to a greater degree than that of the right twist yarn. How- In practicing this form of the inventerposed bands.

ever, it is to be understood that if found desir,-

able or preferable, the "left twist yarn4 may be from yarns twisted at different degrees and in opposite directions, as hereinbefore specified, in addition to imparting a distinctive ornamental surface to the welt, increases the elasticity of the latter so that the same properly engages the :thigh of the wearer and effectively retains the stocking upon theleg. I

This increased elasticity of the welt fabric is had because of the difference of the character of the two yarns used in the knitting, that is, thedifferent` twists of" the two yarns cooperate in such a manner. that the loops of the courses formed by one yarn are acted upon by the-loops of the courses formed by the other yarn to relavtively urge the respective loops to maintain thei natural initial formation.

Ma stly the construction shown and described is capable of several modifications and, accordingly, ,those modifications which come within thev scope of the subj'oined claims are consideredwithin the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: i

1. In a knitted stocking, a knittedl welt'comprising an alternating arrangement of fabric bands of predetermined width, each band con;

sisting of a multiplicity of successive courses,` the courses of every other bandv being knitted from a yarn twisted at a degree different from the de gree ofl twist of th'eyarn forming the courses of the interposed bands, whereby the bands will have different degrees of surface brightness.

2. In a knitted stocking, a knitted welt comprising an alternating arrangement of fabric bands of predetermined width, each band consisting of a multiplicity'of successive courses,vthe` courses of every other band being knitted from a yarn twisted in a Adirection opposite to, and at a degree different from the direction and degree of twist of the yarn forming the courses of the in- 3. In a knitted stocking, a knitted welt comprising fan alternating arrangement of fabric bands of predetermined width, each band coni y sisting of a multiplicity of successive courses, the

. "right twist yarn, and the courses of rthe inter-V posed bands being knitted from al .left twist courses'of every other band being knitted from a yarn, the left twist yarn being twisted to a greater degree than that of /the' ,right twist yarn whereby the bands will have different'light reflective characteristics.

4. In a knitted stocking, a knitted welt comprising an alternating, arrangement of fabric bands of predetermined width, each band consisting'o a multiplicity of successive courses, the courses of every other band being knitted from a high twist yarn and the courses/of the interposed bands being knitted from a low twist yarn whereby the bands will have different degrees of surface brightness.

5. In a knitted stocking, av knitted double ply welt having an inner fabric and an outer fabric,

the inner fabric consisting entirely of courses continuously knitted from a single yarn, the

outer fabric consisting ofv an alternating arrangement of fabric bands of predetermined width, each band consisting of a multiplicity of successive courses, the courses of every other band being knitted from a yarn having a twist different from the twist of the yarn forming the courses of the interposed bands. 7

6'. In a knitted stocking, a silk leg and foot portion consisting entirely of plain knit fabric knitted from silk yarn having the same charac--` teristics throughout, and a cotton knit welt portion, said welt portion comprising an alternating arrangement of fabric bands of predetermined width, eachv band consisting of a multiplicity of successive courses, the courses of every other band being knitted from a cotton yarnhaving ai twist diierent from the twist of the cotton yarn forming the courses of the interposed bands.

7'. In a' knitted stocking, the leg and foot portion, a-welt,`and an after-welt, said leg and foot portion consisting of plain knit fabric, and said welt and after-welt consisting of an alternating arrangement of fabric bands of predetermined width, each band consisting of a multiplicity of successive courses, the courses of every other band being knitted from a yarn having atwist different from the twist of the yarn forming the courses of the interposed bands.

8. In a knitted stocking, a leg and foot portion,4

a double ply welt,` and a single ply after-welt:

said leg and foot portion consisting of plain knit fabric; said double ply welt having an inner fabric and an outer fabric, the inner fabric consisting entirely of courses knitted from 'a single yarn,.the outer fabric consisting of an alternating .arrangement of fabric' bands of predetermined width, yeach band consisting of a multiplicity of successive courses, the courses of every other band being knitted from a yarn having a degree of`twist different from the degreeof twist of yarn forming the courses of .the interposed bands; and said after-welt consisting entirely of an alternating arrangement of fabric .bands of predetermined width, each band consisting of a multiplicity. of successive courses, the courses of every other band in-said after welt also being knitted from yarn having a degree of twist difj ferent from the degree of twist of the yarn form-` ing. the courses of the interposed bands.

' MILTON M.MEYERS. 

